About
Ryan & Ryan is a dynamic father-son piano duo that blends classic and contemporary music into an enthralling concert experience. From Rachmaninoff to Gershwin to Billy Joel, Donald and Barron Ryan combine their talents to create a dazzling blend of old and new schools.
A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Donald came to the United States to study music, earning degrees from Oral Roberts University and the University of Tulsa. He is well known as a master of diverse styles—evidenced by a diploma from the 9th International Chopin Competition as well as his induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Donald has also earned the distinction of being among the most accomplished pianists in the world as a Steinway Artist.
Given his father’s profession, Barron’s choice of playing the piano is no surprise, and he has been no stranger to the stage since the age of four. He distinguished himself in piano studies at the University of Oklahoma and has been a featured soloist at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, among many other venues. Barron has also been a prizewinner in numerous piano competitions, including the Oklahoma Israel Exchange Young Artists Competition in 2011.
As a performing team, Donald and Barron amaze audiences with their skill, expressiveness, and love of making music. Their experience in classical, jazz, ragtime, hip-hop, and funk allows them to create exciting new music and give fresh interpretations of old. Audiences everywhere have been thrilled by their renditions of selections from Gruisin’s The Firm soundtrack as well as Rachmaninoff’s Second Suite for Two Pianos. Their performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue has always earned a standing ovation.
Ryan & Ryan connect with listeners not only in concert, but also in the powerful bond that the newly-emerged social media provide. One instance of this is the interaction with and input of fans in the popular YouTube video series the duo produces.
The pair also emphasizes education. Each pianist has had extensive experience as a featured performer/speaker in the classroom—from earliest grades through university level—and so the duo understands well how to use music as a motivational tool for students.
Ryan & Ryan is a proven hit with audiences of all generations. Their inventiveness, infectiousness, skill and general joy of life make for irresistibly engaging performances. To sum it up, they make music that inspires.
Reviews
“Ryan & Ryan, Donald & Barron, Father & Son, no how matter how you know them, they are excellent pianists.”
-Dave Ales, Eagles & Ivories Festival Director
” ‘Ryan & Ryan’ might sound like the name of a law firm … but there was nothing stuffy or pretentious or insincere about the concerts by pianists Donald and Barron Ryan …”
-The Tulsa World
“It was breathtaking to see and listen to both father and son play the piano so brilliantly, to a sold-out house, and watching everyone respond with such enthusiasm, standing ovations and cries of ‘encore, encore, encore.’ Ryan & Ryan gave the performance of a lifetime at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and we relished in it and loved every minute of it.”
-Chuck Cissel, Artistic Director, Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
” ‘The Musical Magic of Ryan & Ryan’ is an outstanding mix of classical and popular music, with something for everyone. We look forward to their next performance in Van Buren!”
-Tom F. Watkins, Executive Director, Van Buren School District Fine Arts Center
“The dynamic duo of Ryan & Ryan is an entertaining and engaging evening of outstanding musicianship, a little bit of education, anda great deal of fun! Together, these dueling pianists present a variety of repertoire from classical to Jazz to Latin—offering something for every musical taste.”
-Ken Busby, Executive Director & CEO, Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa
Special thanks to Whitney Crawford Photography, The Mayo Hotel, and Harwelden Mansion for the photos on this website.